How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
Rose: "I told him if he wasn't the marrying kind, then move out the way so the marrying kind could find me." (1.1.50)
It seems that in many ways Rose tamed Troy's wild and unruly ways. When she insisted that she be Troy's wife and not just his girlfriend, she made him see the value of family. This makes Troy's betrayal later on in the play all the more painful.
Quote #2
Lyons: "If you wanted to change me, you should've been there when I was growing up." (1.1.155)
Lyons points out that Troy was never around when he was a kid. We learn later on in the play that Lyons is Troy's son from a previous marriage. Troy wasn't around for Lyons because he was in prison for killing a man while attempting to rob him. You could see Lyons as representing Troy's first failure at creating a solid family and being a good father.
Quote #3
Troy: "I love this woman [Rose]. I love this woman so much it hurts. I love her so much...I done run out of ways of loving her." (1.1.173)
No matter what happens later in the play, it seems clear that the Maxson family has a foundation of love. It looks to us that, despite his later betrayal, Troy sincerely loves his wife, Rose.